Apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors having adjustable distance to a viewer

ABSTRACT

An apparatus and method for mounting a plurality of display monitors is disclosed, wherein the apparatus is provided at a user&#39;s desk or workstation. The apparatus can be easily moved toward and away from the user such that all the monitors mounted on the apparatus move in unison in the direction indicated by the user. Accordingly, the apparatus accommodates the visual preferences of virtually all users of the desk or workstation so that eye and skeletal muscle fatigue are reduced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication 62/544,569, filed 11 Aug. 2017, the entirety of which ishereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed toward a method of providing amechanism to the computer user for the effortless manual or automatedadjustment of LCD computer monitors to enable proper focal lengths andview angles for individual or multiple users at a single workstation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individual computer users typically have differing visual and physicalrequirements for optimal viewing of computer screens. Inappropriatefocal lengths or distance from the eye to the computer screen can causevisual fatigue, headaches or other symptoms of eye strain. Impropermonitor heights can result in muscular strain and fatigue as well. Anability to quickly and effortlessly achieve proper adjustment ofmonitors has the potential to reduce eye strain and muscular fatigueresulting in higher productivity and reduced worker's compensationclaims as well as lowered levels of absenteeism related to thesephysical problems associated with intensive computer usage.

Attempts have been made to alleviate these problems using “monitorarms”—an articulating segmented arm which has a joint between two ormore sections allowing the arm to be moved forward and back directly inline with the user's line of sight. A ball mount is typically attachedto the end of the outermost arm which allows the attached monitor to beadjusted for pan and tilt. Such “monitor arms” typically require afriction type adjustment mechanism at each joint to prevent unwantedmovement and a rigid mounting method which will prevent tipping forwarddue to the weight of the arm and attached monitor. Some versions ofmonitor arms include an up/down feature to adjust for proper view anglesand these must be “balanced” to the weight of the attached monitor.

The above noted attempts to solve the problems of eye strain and relatedmusculoskeletal injuries are offset by the difficulty of making properand periodic adjustments to maintain the friction connections at thejoints. The nature of the articulated arm design prevents the free andeasy movement forward and back needed to make proper focal lengthadjustments. Adjustment requires the user to “fight” the tendency of themonitor arm to move sideways rather than directly forward or back. Armswith height adjustment require precise balancing to match the weight ofthe attached monitor. The tendency of most users, if adjustment isdifficult, is to do nothing which negates the value of the investment inmonitor arms and puts users at a higher risk of visual andmusculoskeletal problems.

The increasing prevalence of multiple monitor workstations used by aplurality of different users simply multiplies the degree of difficultyinvolved in making the proper adjustments and lessens the likelihood ofconsistent compliance with health, safety and ergonomic adjustmentguidelines promulgated by the Occupational Health and SafetyAdministration (OSHA), the American National Standards Institute(ANSI)/Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) in the United Statesand the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in Europeand other countries of the world. Moreover, providing multiple monitorson articulated arms can be even more difficult for users toappropriately position due to size and weight of the resultingconfiguration. Additionally, configuring such a multiple monitorarticulated arm so that adequate range of arm movement is providedrequires supporting/mounting the arm on a wall, floor, or a rigid worksurface due to the substantial torque resulting from extending the arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,599 (“the '599 patent”), which represents the stateof the art at the time of the present invention and is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety, discloses an apparatus for mountinga plurality of monitors that allows a user to “stack” a second row ofmonitors above a first row of monitors when many monitors are required.Although the solution of the '599 patent is adequate to mount manymonitors, it also carries several potential drawbacks. By way ofnon-limiting example, it may frequently be the case that a user may wishto have a substantially larger number of monitors, e.g. four or more, ina lower row than in an upper row, e.g. one or two; in such a case, thetop row of the frame structure of the '599 patent protrudes horizontallybeyond the upper row of monitors and creates an aestheticallydispleasing, “industrial” appearance. In addition, the substantialforces exerted on the lower portion of the frame structure by the weightof monitors, especially larger monitors, may cause the lower portion totwist or bend undesirably, which may force the lower row of monitors outof a desired position or even cause damage to the frame structure.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have a multiple monitor supportapparatus that can be provided at a user's desk or workstation, whereinthe apparatus can slidably glide over the desktop of the desk orworkstation in manner that: (a) addresses the above-identified health,safety and ergonomic adjustment guidelines, (b) does so with reducedadjustments by the user(s), and (c) does so with substantially no torquethat articulated arms generate when extended. It is further desirablefor such an apparatus to provide a “clean,” aesthetically pleasingappearance for any configuration of monitors and to provide improvedstrength and stability of a lower portion of the apparatus. Theseapparatuses described hereinbelow provides these benefits as well asothers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a computer monitormounting apparatus for mounting a plurality of monitors, comprising aplurality of monitors; a platform having at least one guide attachedthereto, wherein the guide also contacts an upwardly facing surface sothat the guide maintains the platform on a predetermined path along theupwardly facing surface when the platform moves on the upwardly facingsurface, the platform including a plurality of spaced apartsubplatforms; a frame extending above the platform and attached theretofor moving with the platform when the platform moves along thepredetermined path, the frame providing mountings supporting theplurality of the monitors above the platform; wherein the guide includesportions that move relative to one another within a space between theupwardly facing surface and the subplatforms; one or more wheels orrollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facing surface, whereinthe wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facing surface for at leasta portion of a travel extent for the wheels or rollers, each wheel orroller having an extent that rotatably contacts the upwardly facingsurface when the platform moves along the predetermined path; and aconnector for connecting the subplatforms together, wherein theconnector provides an interior that is: (i) between at least two of thesubplatforms, and (ii) between an upper boundary of the interior and theupwardly facing surface, wherein the interior provides storage space onthe upwardly facing surface, the interior having a height above theupwardly facing surface of at least three times a height of the spacebetween the upwardly facing surface and the subplatforms, wherein theinterior is effective for storing one or more items without interferingwith movement of the platform on the predetermined path, wherein theframe comprises a substantially horizontal lower rail and first andsecond vertical post segments, the substantially horizontal lower railhaving a depth of about 40 millimeters and a height of about 80millimeters, the first vertical post segment having a height of about8.75″ and interconnecting into a bottom channel of the substantiallyhorizontal lower rail, the second vertical post segment having a heightof about 20″ and a first mounting affixed thereto, the first mountingsupporting a monitor at a height of about 17.5″ above the platform.

In embodiments, the at least one guide may include a portion that isfixedly attached to the upwardly facing surface.

In embodiments, the at least one guide may telescope during movement ofthe monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facing surface.

In embodiments, the at least one guide may retract and extend duringmovement of the monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facingsurface.

In embodiments, the platform may have a range of movement along thepredetermined path of at least 10 inches.

In embodiments, the platform may have a range of movement along thepredetermined path of less than 20 inches.

In embodiments, at least one of the mountings may include apredetermined monitor mount hole pattern.

In embodiments, for each monitor of at least some of the monitors, acorresponding one of the mountings may attach the monitor to ahorizontal rail of the frame, wherein the corresponding mountingprovides a horizontal range of rotation of at least 60 degrees for themonitor.

In embodiments, the monitors may be provided along an arc of the framesuch that for a corresponding display for each of at least two-thirds ofthe monitors, and for at least one position facing the displays, adistance between (i) the at least one position and (ii) a center of thecorresponding display varies by no more than about 5% from a distancebetween the at least one position and a center of the correspondingdisplay for each of the other monitors of the at least two-thirds of themonitors.

In embodiments, the frame may include at least one substantiallyhorizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings is horizontallyslidable along the rail.

In embodiments, the substantially horizontal lower rail may support atleast one of the mountings thereon, and may further include anadjustment plate for providing a vertical adjustment of the mounting onthe rail, the plate secured between the rail and the at least onemounting, the plate secured separately to each of the rail and the atleast one mounting.

In embodiments, at least one of the mountings may include a firstrotational member, wherein when a corresponding one of the monitors isattached to the at least one mounting, the first rotational memberprovides a first rotation range for the corresponding monitor.

In embodiments, the upwardly facing surface may include a substantiallyhorizontal desktop.

In embodiments, at least the substantially horizontal lower rail and thefirst vertical post segment may be extruded aluminum alloy beamcomponents.

In embodiments, the second vertical post segment may have a secondmounting affixed thereto, the second mounting supporting a monitor at aheight of about 8.75″ above the platform.

In embodiments, the frame may further comprise a third vertical postsegment having a height of about 20″ and a horizontal monitor supportbeam extending between the second and third vertical post segments, thehorizontal monitor support beam having a mounting supporting a monitoraffixed thereto.

Further description of advantages, benefits, and patentable aspects ofthe present disclosure will become evident from the accompanyingdrawings and description hereinbelow. All novel aspects of thedisclosure, regardless of whether they are explicitly mentioned in thissection, are considered subject matter for patent protection eithersingly or in combination with other aspects of this disclosure.Accordingly, such novel aspects disclosed hereinbelow and/or in thedrawings that may be omitted from, or less than fully described in, thissection are fully incorporated herein by reference into this section.Particularly, all of the below claims are fully incorporated herein byreference into this Summary section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a prior art monitor mounting system20.

FIG. 2 illustrates rigid connectors 404 used for connecting a postsegment 96 a to a post segment 96 b in the prior art monitor mountingsystem 20 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a lower rail 136L of a monitor mounting system 20according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates lower vertical post segments 96 a of a monitormounting system 20 according to the present invention.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a lower rail 136L and vertical post segment96 of a monitor mounting system 20 according to the present invention,without and with attached monitors 33, respectively.

FIG. 6 illustrates a bracket 500 for connecting subplatforms 492 and 496of a monitor mounting system 20 according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a portion of a monitor mounting system 20 comprisinga particularly large monitor 33 according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates a 20″ vertical post segment 96 provided with only asingle attachment assembly 422 at a height of about 17.5″ according tothe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of the prior art monitor mountingsystem 20 disclosed by the '599 patent. The monitor mounting system 20is installed at a workstation 24 x having a curved desktop that is splitinto forward desktop or work surface 26 a and rear desktop or worksurface 26 b. The monitor mounting system 20 includes a platform 28 xupon which a monitor mounting rack (“rack” or “frame”) 32 is mounted; inturn, the rack 32 has monitors 33 mounted thereon. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, a hand grip 91 x is provided for moving theplatform 28 x, as well as the attached rack 32 and monitors 33.

The rack 32 includes vertical posts 96, the lower ends of which aresecured to the platform 28 x for conveying the weight of, e.g., themonitors 33 to the platform 28 x. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.1, each of the posts 96 has a substantially square cross-section, witheach side of the square having a recess 100 x that extends the length ofthe post 96. Vertical posts 96 are interconnected to horizontal rails136 to form the rack 32 by means of post fasteners 143 x. Monitor mountplates 158 x attach to the back of each monitor 33 for securing themonitor to a monitor mounting assembly, and in turn to the rack 32.Vertical adjustment plates 300 x are provided as part of attachmentassemblies 422 to allow a user to align the display center points ofmonitors 33.

In one embodiment of the prior art monitor mounting system 20 of FIG. 1,the number of horizontal rails 136 necessary to form the rack 32 may bereduced by using a plurality of properly spaced vertical posts 96 withorientable subassemblies attached to each post 96. This embodimentallows small amounts of horizontal adjustment using a mounting plate,such as an adjustment plate. Moreover, the height of each vertical postmay be extended to allow two or more monitors to be vertically stackedthereon. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more posts96 may be extended by providing rigid connectors 404 within at least one(and preferably a plurality) of the post recesses 100. FIG. 2 shows apair of connectors 404 partially received within recesses on oppositesides of a post segment 96 (96 a or 96 b in FIG. 1), such recesses beinglabeled as 100 x in FIGS. 1 and 2. Particularly, assuming it isdesirable to extend each of one or more lower post segments 96 a with acorresponding upper post segment 96 b, then a pair of connectors 404 maybe provided in corresponding aligned recesses 100 of the upper postsegment and its corresponding lower post segment. Accordingly, when apair of connectors 404 is provided in opposing recesses 100 of each ofthe one or more upper post segments 96 b (as shown in FIG. 1) such thateach connector is fixed within its recess, e.g., via a set screw, clamp,wedge or other securing mechanism (not shown), then each upper postsegment 96 b may be positioned so that its pair of connectors 404 slideinto recesses 100 in corresponding opposite sides of one of the lowerpost segments 96 a. Accordingly, once each of the lower ends 408 of theupper post segments 96 b rests flush on a corresponding upper end 412 ofa lower post segment 96 a, the connectors 404 may be fixedly secured intheir respective recesses 100 of their lower post segment 96 a. Ofcourse, other techniques for securing together upper and lower postsegments 96 b and 96 a may be used. Particularly, the connectors 404 maybe first provided in the recesses 100 of the lower post segments 96 a,wherein the connectors 404 are fixed therein (or in one embodiment, notfixed, but instead, positioned therein so that the lower end of eachconnector 404 rests on a stop within each recess) so that each connectorextends out the upper end 412 of its corresponding lower post segment.Subsequently, the upper post segments 96 b are fitted onto the extendingportions of the correctors 404. In another embodiment, a correspondingpair of lower and upper post segments may be secured together byproviding an intermediary piece that snuggly fits about the perimeter ofeach the ends 408 and 412 to be coupled together, wherein theintermediary piece includes a stop or separation plate that is internalto the intermediary piece and rests on top of the end 412 and the end408 rests thereon when the lower and upper post segments are coupledtogether. Note that the connectors 404 and/or the intermediary piece(s)may be made of steel or aluminum or an alloy thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, where a more detailed view of a pair of connectors404 provided in a post segment is shown, note that each connector mayhave a shape that substantially conforms to the interior of the recess100 in which the connector is inserted so that there is close tolerancebetween the interior of the recesses and their inserted connectors. Inone embodiment, such a tolerance may be between 0.01 and 0.05 inches,and the connectors may extend into each corresponding recess 100 of alower and upper post segment at least 3 to 5 inches.

Referring again to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the platform 28 x is shownwherein the platform 28 x includes subplatforms 492 and 496 which may beconnected to one another via an extended height bracket 500, whereinthis bracket provides an interior storage space 502 underneath it (onthe desktop 26 b) for, e.g., equipment, informational materials, etc.that could not be stored (on the desktop 26 b) under the reduced heightoffset of the platform 28 x or the subplatforms 492, 496. The bracket500 includes: (i) side walls 504 rising above the upper surfaces of thesubplatforms 492 and 496 substantially at their edges, and (ii) abracket top 508 extending between and attaching to each of the sidewalls 504. The side walls 504 attach to a corresponding one of thesubplatforms 492 and 496 via one or more flanges 512 attached to thesubplatform. In FIG. 1, a single flange 512 is attached to the upperside of each subplatform 492 and 496. However, such flanges 512 may bealso: (i) attached to the lower side of one or more of the subplatforms492 and 496, (ii) embedded with the vertical edge of one or more of thesubplatforms, or (iii) a pair of flanges 512 may be provided forsandwiching a portion of a subplatform therebetween such that a firstflange of the pair attaches to the upper side of the subplatform and asecond flange of the pair attaches to a lower side of the subplatform.The flanges 512 may be attached to their respective subplatforms 492 and496 by screws, bolts, locking fasteners, clamps, etc. In one embodiment,the bracket 500 is attachable and detachable from the subplatforms 492and 496 so that, e.g., the subplatforms and the bracket can be shippeddisassembled and assembled on-site. A reinforcement for reinforcing thebracket 500 may include: (i) a substantially horizontal bar attached atits ends to the side walls 504 (not shown), (ii) triangularreinforcements for the corners formed by each of the side walls and thebracket top 508 (not shown), and/or (iii) other reinforcing members,e.g., built-in to the side walls or the bracket top. When the bracket500 is attached to the subplatforms, the subplatforms 492 and 496 aremovable as a single unit over the desktop 26 b. Particularly, rollersand/or alignment guides may be provided for supporting the subplatforms492 and 496 above the desktop 26 a and moveable thereon. Accordingly,the subplatforms 492 and 496 may be offset above the desktop 26 b byapproximately, e.g., 0.5 to 1.5 inches.

In one embodiment, the side walls 504 of the bracket 500 have a verticalextent of approximately 5 to 12 inches, and more preferably 7 to 9inches. Thus, storage height of the space 502 between: (i) the brackettop 508, and (ii) the desktop 26 b may be approximately 6.5 to 14inches, and more preferably 8.5 to 12 inches. Additionally, the bracket500 may have a horizontal extent of between approximately 12 inches and24 inches. Accordingly, the storage space is at least acceptable forstoring, e.g., a 5-inch-high stack of manuals, equipment such as audiospeakers or a webcam, and/or user personal effects without interferingwith the movement of the platform 28 x.

As shown in FIG. 1, the subplatforms 492 and 496 may be of differentsizes and shapes depending, e.g., on the shape and size of the desktop26 b, the functional utilization of the top surfaces of thesubplatforms. In the present figure, a monitor 33 is provided on thesubplatform 496, and the subplatforms 492 and 496 are used as anattachment/support for rail reinforcements 516 to provide additionalsupport to, e.g., the free ends of the lower most rail 136 (identifiedas 136L in FIG. 1). Particularly, the lower end 520 of each suchreinforcement 516 may be secured to/within the subplatform on which itis supported via, e.g., the reinforcement being received with a metalslot (not shown) provided in the upper surface of the subplatform,and/or having a flange (also not shown) that is secured to the uppersurface of the subplatform.

FIG. 1 also shows a hand grip 91 x for adjusting the distance between aworkstation user and the monitors 33 that can be attached to theattachment assemblies 422. The hand grip 91 x may be moveable relativeto the subplatform 492 to which it is attached so that in a firstposition (e.g., the position shown in FIG. 1) the platform 28 x ismoveable along the desktop 26 b, and in a second position (e.g., rotatedcounterclockwise), locks the platform 28 x in its location. Such lockingmay be performed by, e.g., preventing one or more of rollers 34 fromrolling, or causing a pad located between the subplatform 492 and thedesktop 26 b to firmly contact the desktop 26 b and thereby preventmovement of the platform 28 x, or a lever or stop (not shown) thatinterferes with the sliding of a rail or railing.

FIG. 1 also includes partial displays of a post fastener 143 x, whereineach such fastener 143 x is generally “U” shaped for wrapping around itspost segment 96 a or 96 b such that the opening of the “U” opens towardthe front of the workstation 24 x.

Although the monitor mounting system 20 of the '599 patent asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is adequate to mount many monitors, it alsocarries several potential drawbacks. By way of non-limiting example, itmay frequently be the case that a user may wish to have a substantiallylarger number of monitors, e.g. four or more, in a lower row than in anupper row, e.g. one or two; in such a case, the top row of the framestructure protrudes horizontally beyond the upper row of monitors andcreates an aesthetically displeasing, “industrial” appearance. Inaddition, the substantial forces exerted on the lower portion of theframe structure by the weight of monitors, especially larger monitors,may cause the lower portion to twist or bend undesirably, which mayforce the lower row of monitors out of a desired position or even causedamage to the frame structure.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a lower rail 136L of a monitor mounting system20 according to the present invention is illustrated. In thisembodiment, the height of the lower rail 136L (about 80 mm) is doubledcompared to the height of the lower rail 136L in the prior artembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 (about 40 mm). The increased height ofthe lower rail 136L provides significant additional strength to themonitor mounting system 20 illustrated in FIG. 3, and reduces thesusceptibility of the lower rail 136L to twisting due to the weight ofmonitors affixed thereto. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, thelower rail 136L is formed of a “double-high” (40 mm×80 mm) extrudedaluminum alloy beam, as opposed to the “standard” (40 mm×40 mm) extrudedaluminum alloy beam of the prior art rail of FIG. 1, and has both upper100 y and lower 100 z channels for receiving other components of themonitor mounting system 20. Extruded aluminum alloy beam framing systemsare well-known in the art and are offered commercially by any number ofmanufacturers, including, by way of non-limiting example, 80/20 Inc.

Referring now to FIG. 4, lower vertical post segments 96 a of a monitormounting system 20 according to the present invention are illustrated.In this embodiment, the height of the lower vertical post segments 96 a(about 8.75″) is reduced compared to the height of lower vertical postsegments 96 a in the prior art embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 (about15″). The shortened lower vertical post segments now attach to thebottom channel 100 z of the 40-mm×80 mm lower rail 136L.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a lower rail 136L and vertical postsegment 96 of a monitor mounting system 20 according to the presentinvention are illustrated without (FIG. 5A) and with (FIG. 5B) attachedmonitors 33. In this embodiment, at least one taller vertical postsegment 96, having a height of about 20″, is provided in addition to orinstead of one or more of the shorter (8.75″) lower vertical postsegments 96 a illustrated in FIG. 4. The taller vertical post segment 96of FIGS. 5A and 5B allow two attachment assemblies 422 to be affixed,one at a height of about 8.75″ in conjunction with lower rail 136L andone at a height of about 17.5″, to allow for two rows of monitors 33. Asillustrated in FIG. 5B, the 20″ vertical post segment allows a monitor33U of the upper row to be located directly above a monitor 33L of thelower row. Alternatively, however, where it is desirable for an upperrow monitor 33U to be positioned horizontally such that there is nomonitor directly below, a 20″ vertical post segment 96 may be providedwith only a single attachment assembly 422 at a height of about 17.5″;such an embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 8. Taller vertical postsegments 96 allow a second row of monitors to be mounted on the rack 32with or without an upper rail 136U; as a result, the upper portion ofthe rack 32 need not extend horizontally beyond the width of the upperrow of monitors, creating an improved aesthetic as compared to the priorart embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a bracket 500 for connecting subplatforms 492and 496 of a monitor mounting system 20 according to the presentinvention is illustrated. In this embodiment, the height and depth ofthe bracket 500 are reduced by about 1.75″ and about 3.4″, respectively,and the width of the bracket is increased by about 1.9″, compared to thebracket 500 of the prior art embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a portion of a monitor mounting system 20comprising a particularly large monitor 33 according to the presentinvention is illustrated. In this embodiment, two taller vertical postsegments 96 support a horizontal monitor support beam 136Ux, which inturn supports an attachment assembly 422 for the larger monitor 33. Thearrangement illustrated in FIG. 7 allows for a larger monitor 33 to besecurely mounted as part of the upper row of monitors without twistingor damaging the frame 32.

Monitor mounting systems of the present invention may be particularlyadvantageous when the forward desktop or work surface 26 a is higherthan the rear desktop or work surface 26 b. In such an embodiment, onesubplatform 492,496, to which shorter vertical post segments 96 a areinterconnected, may be disposed on the forward desktop 26 a, whileanother subplatform 492,496, to which taller vertical post segments 96are interconnected, may be disposed on the rear desktop 26 b. Thisarrangement may allow for a vertical distance between the top row ofmonitors and the bottom row of monitors to be greatly reduced or eveneliminated, which may be desirable in many applications for improvingthe visibility of the upper row of monitors and reducing the eye strainof a user. Such a monitor mounting system can accommodate a significantdifference in the levels of the forward desktop 26 a and the reardesktop 26 b, such as, by way of non-limiting example, a difference ofas much as about five inches.

The foregoing discussion of the invention has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description. Further, the description isnot intended to limit the invention to the form disclosed herein.Consequently, variation and modification commensurate with the aboveteachings, within the skill and knowledge of the relevant art, arewithin the scope of the present invention. The embodiment describedhereinabove is further intended to explain the best mode presently knownof practicing the invention and to enable others skilled in the art toutilize the invention as such, or in other embodiments, and with thevarious modifications required by their application or uses of theinvention. The present disclosure further contemplates methods forassembling, distributing and/or manufacturing the monitor mountingsystem 20.

1. A computer monitor mounting apparatus for mounting a plurality ofmonitors, comprising: a plurality of monitors; a platform having atleast one guide attached thereto, wherein the guide also contacts anupwardly facing surface so that the guide maintains the platform on apredetermined path along the upwardly facing surface when the platformmoves on the upwardly facing surface, the platform including a pluralityof spaced apart subplatforms; a frame extending above the platform andattached thereto for moving with the platform when the platform movesalong the predetermined path, the frame providing mountings supportingthe plurality of the monitors above the platform; wherein the guideincludes portions that move relative to one another within a spacebetween the upwardly facing surface and the subplatforms; one or morewheels or rollers for rolling the platform on the upwardly facingsurface, wherein the wheels or rollers move over the upwardly facingsurface for at least a portion of a travel extent for the wheels orrollers, each wheel or roller having an extent that rotatably contactsthe upwardly facing surface when the platform moves along thepredetermined path; and a connector for connecting the subplatformstogether, wherein the connector provides an interior that is: (i)between at least two of the subplatforms, and (ii) between an upperboundary of the interior and the upwardly facing surface, wherein theinterior provides storage space on the upwardly facing surface, theinterior having a height above the upwardly facing surface of at leastthree times a height of the space between the upwardly facing surfaceand the subplatforms, wherein the interior is effective for storing oneor more items without interfering with movement of the platform on thepredetermined path, wherein the frame comprises a substantiallyhorizontal lower rail and first and second vertical post segments, thesubstantially horizontal lower rail having a depth of about 40millimeters and a height of about 80 millimeters, the first verticalpost segment having a height of about 8.75″ and interconnecting into abottom channel of the substantially horizontal lower rail, the secondvertical post segment having a height of about 20″ and a first mountingaffixed thereto, the first mounting supporting a monitor at a height ofabout 17.5″ above the platform.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theat least one guide includes a portion that is fixedly attached to theupwardly facing surface.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast one guide telescopes during movement of the monitor mountingapparatus over the upwardly facing surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the at least one guide retracts and extends during movement ofthe monitor mounting apparatus over the upwardly facing surface.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the platform has a range of movement alongthe predetermined path of at least 10 inches.
 6. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the platform has a range of movement along the predeterminedpath of less than 20 inches.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the mountings includes a predetermined monitor mount holepattern.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein for each monitor of atleast some of the monitors, a corresponding one of the mountingsattaches the monitor to a horizontal rail of the frame, wherein thecorresponding mounting provides a horizontal range of rotation of atleast 60 degrees for the monitor.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe monitors are provided along an arc of the frame such that for acorresponding display for each of at least two-thirds of the monitors,and for at least one position facing the displays, a distance between:(i) the at least one position, and (ii) a center of the correspondingdisplay, varies by no more than about 5% from a distance between the atleast one position and a center of the corresponding display for each ofthe other monitors of the at least two-thirds of the monitors.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes at least onesubstantially horizontal rail wherein at least one of the mountings ishorizontally slidable along the rail.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the substantially horizontal lower rail supports at least one ofthe mountings thereon, and further including an adjustment plate forproviding a vertical adjustment of the mounting on the rail, the platesecured between the rail and the at least one mounting, the platesecured separately to each of the rail and the at least one mounting.12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the mountingsincludes a first rotational member, wherein when a corresponding one ofthe monitors is attached to the at least one mounting, the firstrotational member provides a first rotation range for the correspondingmonitor.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upwardly facingsurface includes a substantially horizontal desktop.
 14. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein at least the substantially horizontal lower rail andthe first vertical post segment are extruded aluminum alloy beamcomponents.
 15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second verticalpost segment has a second mounting affixed thereto, the second mountingsupporting a monitor at a height of about 8.75″ above the platform. 16.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a thirdvertical post segment having a height of about 20″ and a horizontalmonitor support beam extending between the second and third verticalpost segments, the horizontal monitor support beam having a mountingsupporting a monitor affixed thereto.